Thanks to all of you that actually read the blog, it takes a lot of time and getting comments back is great, it makes us feel connected. Mariana is definitely leading the race, with Izak a close second. Come on Lelani, Kris and Clayton see if you can catch ouma and oupa.

We started our day out in a merry way. Armed with instructions from our B&B landlady, 2 maps and a GPS we set out to find the Stone Altar in The Burren, how difficult can it be? I was sure you would not even need my exceptional navigational skill, but alas we could not find the hidden stones. Johan is normally not lost, and thus never need to ask directions, so that was not an option. After 90 minutes Johan still wasn't giving up, and when we ended 50 meters from where we started I had enough

. I took a little back road to take my own photo of a little boat and promptly set out to create my own VanderKansie Stone Altar. When I met up with him again I told him, "here are your stones, I found them" we are done looking for it. He did not really buy into the fake photo, but I think he got the picture. No more stone searching for the rest of the day. Take some time to research the Stone Altar in The Burren, and I am sure that you will agree that my instant creation works just as well.

In Galway we found numerous road signs pointing to a Sunday market, and who can not follow those? We came to an interesting market that was part fair, part flea market and part furniture store. At this unlikely location there was a lady selling traditional Amsterdam "room poffertjes" (cream puffs) and we had to get a serving which ended up being 2 servings instead. Wonderful miniature pancakes smothered in real butter and covered with icing sugar. What a treat!

For an unplanned trip, things really worked out great. We were traveling between Galway and Clifden when we saw Kylemore Abbey. What a surprise, now if my hubby would just build me a little house like this one, I am even willing to share it with our 4 kids and future attachments. With 70 rooms the grandparents can live there as well. Naturally I also want the servants that come with the deal, if not what fun can this place be. The abbey even has it own church, and since the church will belong to us we can set the service times just when we want, so no early wake up for church on Sundays. The home was build by a Manchester tycoon for his wife and daughter, and when they died of fever in Africa, he left the house. At that time it was taken over by the nuns that were fleering during the first world war, and they have lived there since then

For dinner we went to a small restaurant and had a very filling 3 course meal for only 25 Euro each. The owner was really nice and told us about a pub where there will be Irish music. Just like the previous evening it was "suppose" to start at 9:30 pm, but the musicians only got there at 10 pm. This was the most fun we had in a long time. The pub is frequented by a man called "The Rubber Man". This guy is between 70 and 80, as thin as a rake, and as fit as a fiddle. He did some "Riverdancing", and boy is he good, and did I say fit. He also did a bit of a stand up comedy, and did a fantastic job on the poem "Why?". Johan will add the video of him dancing. My contribution to your excercise for the day is to turn your heads at 90% and watch the video that I took. Nobody, I mean the photographer (meaning Johan) didn't tell me that I should not tilt the camera when taking video and as scribe how was I suppose to know? The lighting is not good, but then it is a pub, what do you expect?

Today it is off to Dublin, with a good 6 - 8 hours of driving ahead of us. I will place my last vacation blog tonight, as the fun stops for me. I will be working the next 3 days and I am sure you do not want to hear about that. Johan however promised to keep the blog going.Love and miss you.

Comments

Mariana Raley
on Mar 29, 2010 at 02:25PM

i am very surprised that you got lost, pappa has the best sense of direction and mommy your not bad either lol, I wish I could watch the videos but my computer wont let me and the man I would call to fix it is out of cell phone range haha, I hope you enjoy your last day of vacation. I love you and miss you

Mom and Dad
on Mar 29, 2010 at 03:20PM

I am sure you could not have wished for a better experience-with NO tour guide other than Johan-Sure you are ready for work and stress while Johan is experiencing lots of fun.Go for it. We enjoyed your trip so much that i will never have to go there myself.Love

Izak
on Mar 29, 2010 at 09:57PM

I am glad you are having fun I just feel it is my priority to tell you that I think the animals miss you guys. I'm not sure what it is but Kassie hasnt left the downstairs couch for very long the entire weekend I think she is waiting for you to come back. As for daddy getting lost I think its pretty clear what happened. If he was able to get you 50m from where you started then I think it proves that he knew where he was all along, its obviously the stones that have gotten lost :-)

Lelani
on Apr 4, 2010 at 06:16PM

Just a little note brother, our cat's name is Cassie, as in Cassandra, but no worries. Glad you guys are coming home today!